There may be no international tournament in men’s football next summer, but FIFA have opted against handing players some much-needed respite by introducing an expanded Club World Cup.
Once a ferocious battle between the best of South America and Europe, the competition has taken on several forms since its Intercontinental Cup days (which it’s dressed up as again in 2024), but has doubtlessly dwindled in significance in some parts of the world.
It’s a trophy that’s no longer regarded as legacy defining among European clubs, but is treated as seismic in other quarters of the globe.
In a bid to supply greater significance to their Club World Cup, FIFA have regenerated the competition in a big way. The great expansion means 32 teams will vie for glory next summer, and the draw for the tournament is upcoming.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup draw.
FIFA have scheduled the 2025 Club World Cup draw well in advance of the start of the tournament, which gets underway on 15 June.
The draw has been pencilled in for Thursday 5 December and will get underway at 13:00 local time (19:00 CET / 18:00 GMT).
Miami is one of the host cities for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup / Mike Ehrmann/GettyImages
With the tournament taking place in the USA, the draw is being held in the States. Miami, one of the host cities for next summer’s event and the 2026 World Cup, will stage Thursday’s draw.
The Club World Cup draw can be streamed via FIFA.com, FIFA+ and supporting channels.
All 32 spots at next summer’s Club World Cup have been filled, and the teams have been assigned to four different pots ahead of Thursday’s draw.
The 32 teams are split into eight groups of four, with the eight teams in each pot being drawn into different groups. Pot 1 teams will be drawn first, then Pot 2, etc, etc, until the draw is complete.
There will be no need for knockout round draws, as is the case with the Champions League. The routes for each team to the final will be mapped out via Thursday’s draw.
Are there any draw restrictions?There are a couple of constraints to consider in Thursday’s draw, with FIFA stating that no more than one team from the same confederation (excluding UEFA) can be paired in the same group.
As UEFA has 12 representatives at next summer’s tournament, four of the eight groups will feature two European clubs.
Inter Miami and Seattle Sounders have already been allocated fourth positions in Groups A and B respectively for scheduling purposes. Inter Miami will host the first match of the tournament on 15 June.
Pot 1
Club
Nation
Confederation
Man City
England
UEFA
Real Madrid
Spain
UEFA
Bayern Munich
Germany
UEFA
Paris Saint-Germain
France
UEFA
Flamengo
Brazil
CONMEBOL
Palmeiras
Brazil
CONMEBOL
River Plate
Argentina
CONMEBOL
Fluminense
Brazil
CONMEBOL
Pot 2
Club
Nation
Confederation
Chelsea
England
UEFA
Borussia Dortmund
Germany
UEFA
Inter
Italy
UEFA
Porto
Portugal
UEFA
Atletico Madrid
Spain
UEFA
Benfica
Portugal
UEFA
Juventus
Italy
UEFA
RB Salzburg
Austria
UEFA
Pot 3
Club
Nation
Confederation
Al Hilal
Saudi Arabia
AFC
Ulsan HD
South Korea
AFC
Al Ahly
Egypt
AFC
Wydad AC
Morocco
CAF
Monterrey
Mexico
CONCACAF
Leon
Mexico
CONCACAF
Boca Juniors
Argentina
CONMEBOL
Botafogo
Brazil
CONMEBOL
Pot 4
Club
Nation
Confederation
Urawa Red Diamonds
Japan
AFC
Al Ain
UAE
AFC
ES Tunis
Tunisia
CAF
Mamelodi Sundowns
South Africa
CAF
Pachuca
Mexico
CONCACAF
Seattle Sounders
USA
CONCACAF
Auckland City
New Zealand
OFC
Inter Miami
USA
CONCACAF
READ THE LATEST 2025 CLUB WORLD CUP NEWS AND HOW IT WORKS HERE
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